[Expired] COVID-19 Testing for Travel [Airlines, Airports, Hotels]

Update:

The details below have expired and are no longer valid.

Now that travel restrictions are starting to ease, you might be planning for a trip. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, you will possibly be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel. Some are free (with or without insurance), while others might require you to pay a fee. Some countries even build COVID-19 testing fees into their entry requirements.

In addition to cost, something else to consider is that your results are time-sensitive, meaning that you need to have your test completed during a certain amount of time prior to arrival or departure. We’ve pulled together some common locations that offer these COVID-19 tests and take these requirements into consideration so that you can get back to traveling as soon as possible!

What COVID-19 Tests Do You Need To Travel?

There are many different types of tests for coronavirus, but which test do you specifically need for travel? 

Types of Tests

Antibody Tests

Antibody tests are blood tests that can identify if a person has COVID-19 antibodies, meaning that they have already recovered from the virus. These tests aren’t regularly used for travel since antibody tests can’t be used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. 

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests can show if you have an active COVID-19 viral infection and whether you might need to take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others. There are 2 types of diagnostic tests — rapid and PCR tests.

Rapid antigen tests can show an active COVID-19 infection by detecting specific proteins on the surface of the coronavirus. These rapid tests are popular for their quick turnaround times but are rarely accepted when it comes to travel due to the high number of false-positive results. These are normally used at airports in addition to the traveler providing PCR test results, so it may still be important that you can find a rapid COVID-19 test near you.

The other common option is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (or PCR) test. These PCR tests are the most reliable option for detecting active COVID-19 infections as results are sent to a lab to be confirmed. Due to this, a negative PCR test is what is typically required to travel. Our guide will specifically note sites that are providing PCR tests.

Bottom Line: Ultimately, what test you need and when you need to take it depends on where you are traveling.

Requirements for Traveling to the U.S.

Effective December 6, 2021, if you’re a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (over the age of 2) traveling back to the U.S. from abroad, the CDC now requires that you provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 1 day of departure (regardless of vaccination status). According to the CDC, “Rapid tests are acceptable if they are a viral test that meet the requirements under the Order.”

If you are traveling from abroad and are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative test within 1 day of departure. You are allowed to travel with a child that has been unvaccinated, but they must also provide a negative test taken within 1 day of departure (if they are over the age of 2).

Without this information, you will be prohibited from flying to the U.S.

There are several exemptions to this rule:

• If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you can travel with evidence of recovery (such as a positive COVID-19 test result) as well as a letter from a trusted professional stating that you are cleared to travel
• Travelers arriving via a land border (Mexico or Canada)
• Flight crew members do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test

Bottom Line: If your travel doesn’t involve an exception, you will need to find a way to obtain a negative PCR test internationally before your return flight.

Where Are COVID-19 Tests Required?

Domestic Locations

There are a number of locations within the U.S. where having either a COVID-19 test result or evidence of completed vaccination can help you to avoid a quarantine (self or supervised) period upon arrival.

You must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test if you have not been fully vaccinated to visit the following locations:

International Locations

Each country has its own requirements related to COVID-19 testing. These requirements relate to what tests are acceptable and what tests will be required before arrival vs. upon arrival, as well as how recently you must have taken the test. Be sure to check out our guide to where Americans can travel internationally for more information about these country-specific requirements.

How Much Does a COVID-19 Test Cost?

COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at health centers and select pharmacies. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act “ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., whether or not you have insurance.”

If you choose to get your test at a location outside of these supported locations, COVID-19 PCR tests can cost anywhere from $20 to $1,419 per single test (according to recent studies) but these costs are usually covered by insurance unless noted otherwise.

If you are traveling internationally and are required to get a PCR test upon arrival at your destination or prior to your return trip to the U.S., you will need to refer to that country’s COVID-19 embassy site to determine your cost.

How Long Do Results Take To Get Back?

Most states or countries that require negative COVID-19 tests for entry or to avoid quarantine use a 48- to 72-hour timeframe. This can start with either the time of your departure or arrival at your final destination. Depending on the distance of the location, this may be extended to accommodate travel time. Knowing this, it is clear that it is important to find a location that can provide timely results.

Results vary greatly depending on where you are located, but generally take 1 to 7 days to be returned per the FDA. Ultimately, the best way to find out how long it will take in any particular area is to go to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) website and look at the option by state. The facilities listed may include the expected wait time to receive the results.

What Proof Do I Need To Travel?

Once you’ve received your negative test result, what do you do with it? Most airlines have partnered with a third party or created a system to upload your test results. This means that you will either upload an electronic result or even take a photo of your negative test in the case of some rapid tests.

Here are a few examples:

• Common Pass Health Passport — United, JetBlue
• VeriFLY Health Passport App — American Airlines
• IATA Travel Pass — Emirates, Etihad, Singapore, Turkish, and many more

Other airlines, such as Delta and Hawaiian Airlines, are allowing you to upload test results to their websites directly. At the end of the day, be sure to check with your airline directly to see how to upload your negative test result.

COVID-19 Testing Options by Airline

Airlines are partnering with other companies to make it easier for travelers to get tested for COVID-19.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers multiple options for getting your COVID-19 PCR test.

At-Home Testing

Alaska Airlines is working with Costco Wholesale to offer an at-home testing option for travelers ages 5 and up. These tests cost $114.99 each and you must also complete a video appointment with a doctor. Once completed, you ship it back via UPS overnight and results are available in 24 to 48 hours.

Alaska recommends that you purchase these tests at least 1 to 2 weeks before your trip to ensure that you can confirm a video appointment slot.

In-Person Testing

Alaska Airlines has partnered with Carbon Health to offer in-person testing for Alaska flyers. These Carbon Health tests cost between $150 and $165, and you must schedule your appointment in advance.

You’ll receive the same or next-day results at all of their testing sites in the following cities:

American Airlines

American Airlines uses VeriFLY, a mobile app, to help streamline test results and other AA preflight travel requirements. There are also many options offered for COVID-19 testing.

At-Home Testing

American has partnered with LetsGetChecked for at-home PCR tests. American recommends purchasing your test at least 5 days before departure. Passengers flying to all of the international locations that American Airlines currently serves can use these test kits.

You will have results within 48 hours of receipt, but you will also need to complete a virtual visit with a medical professional. This kit costs $119.

You can also order a testing kit through eMed if you have a roundtrip flight. You will receive a rapid test for departure and 2 rapid tests to bring along with you on your trip. You can mail these in without having to find a lab in the country that you visit. Tests cost $150.

In-Person Testing

American Airlines has partnered with over 150+ CareNow clinics that offer testing at $139. Results are available within 15 minutes.

GoHealth is another option for in-person testing. You can get a test at any of over 150 locations with results in 15 minutes. Testing is conducted through your insurance or at rates available upon request.

Delta Air Lines

Passengers can use FlyReady to upload their COVID-19 test results to ensure acceptance of results for entry.

At-Home Testing

Delta has partnered with AZOMA to offer the Ellume COVID-19 test so that passengers can test themselves and upload the results before departure and pack another test to take before returning back to the U.S. Test kits are $50 and come with a video observation to validate results.

In-Person Testing

Delta offers a list of in-person providers that it recommends using based on your location.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaii is one of the only states requiring evidence of vaccination OR evidence of a negative test to avoid a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

At-Home Testing

Hawaiian Airlines is going through Vault Health to provide any at-home tests for $119. Results are available within 24 hours after receipt.

Drive-Through Testing

Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Worksite Labs to provide drive-through nasal swab appointments at Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO). Each test costs $90 with results provided within 24 hours or $150 for results within 12 hours.

In-Person Testing

Travelers originating from Seattle (SEA) and Portland (PDX) can schedule an appointment with US BioTek Laboratories. If you need results within 36 hours, tests will cost $90 to $105, but if you need results within 24 hours, your test will cost $90 to $165.

For travelers originating from LAS, you can receive a nasal or throat swab test at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. Tests cost $130 per person for results within 36 hours.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue has a few options for international travelers.

At-Home Testing

Like Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue has also partnered with Vault Health to provide at-home test kits for travelers to Aruba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or Mexico. Each kit costs $119 and results will be provided within 72 hours.

In-Person Testing

JetBlue offers many in-person location options through XpressCheck.

Locations are available at:

• Boston (BOS)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• New York (JFK and LGA)
• Newark (EWR)
• Orlando (MCO)

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has recommended partners for those travelers heading to Hawaii.

At-Home Testing

Southwest has partnered with Vault Health for COVID-19 testing. This test costs $119 and you will receive results within 24 hours after its arrival at the lab.

In-Person Testing

Southwest lists a few recommended partners, including CVS MinuteClinics, Kaiser Permanente, and Walgreens.

United Airlines

United has multiple options for testing.

At-Home Testing

United is using ADL Health to provide at-home PCR test kits for flyers at their request. If you’ve already booked a trip, visit the Travel-Ready Center to find more information about the test and order one.

Travelers must mail their test back 72 hours before travel and get the results 24 to 48 hours before their flight. Each test costs $119.

Drive-Through Testing

United has partnered with Color to offer both day-of and drive-through testing for travelers flying from San Francisco (SFO) to Hawaii and Canada. Eligible passengers will receive information and a sign-up link via email 1 week before departure.

These tests cost $105 at the United Technical Operations parking lot at SFO. You must make an appointment for approximately 72 hours before travel, with most results coming back within 48 hours.

In-Person Testing

United has partnered with XpressCheck at many airport locations (which we’ll list in more detail below).

COVID-19 Testing Options at Airports

Domestic Airports

The following airports are offering COVID-19 testing. Keep in mind that the types of tests vary based on how quickly you need the test results and what type of test you get, and some locations are only allowing passengers traveling on certain routes to obtain a test.

International Airports

Here are some notable international airports offering COVID-19 testing options. This list is not all-inclusive, so be sure to check your destination airport to see if tests are available to you.

COVID-19 Testing Options at Hotels

Offering COVID-19 testing at hotels is also becoming more common as a way to draw travelers back by offering convenient testing options. Testing is common at many resorts throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. A few examples include:

Additional COVID-19 Testing Resources

If you’re looking for other options, know that tests are available at no cost throughout the country at health centers and some pharmacies.

Local Medical Resources

Private clinics and academic labs are available for COVID-19 tests and will bill your insurance provider directly. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to pay the full amount. You can get a COVID-19 test at:

• Government-operated facilities
• Private clinics
• Passport Health

To find a place to get a rapid or PCR COVID-19 test near you, you can contact your primary care doctor or search the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.

Drugstores

Neighborhood drugstores often offer PCR testing at no additional cost if using insurance or if you fall under some federal programs for those without insurance.

Pharmacies that may offer COVID-19 testing include:

• CVS Health
• Local independent pharmacies
• Rite Aid
• Walgreens
• Walmart (in partnership with Quest Diagnostics)

Evidence of Vaccination

Something else to consider is that many countries are now allowing evidence of vaccination in lieu (or in addition to) a negative COVID-19 test.

We have an article detailing all the different options for standardized immunity passports and how this might be implemented, but for now, each country has its own requirements as to what is required for Americans to enter.

Final Thoughts

Getting a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel will likely be the new normal for the foreseeable future. Making sure you know which test is required and when is the first step that needs to occur. The next step is finding a good place to get your test.

There are many options that provide this testing — ranging from your local pharmacy to airports, and even hotels at your destination. Between all of these options, the hope is that travel can be safe once again.

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